Chapter Title: Two Days Before the Ball
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Staff POV – The Calm Before the Storm
The palace buzzed with a quiet but intense energy as the grand ball loomed just two days away. Staff scurried to finalize the final preparations, each aware that the Supreme's expectations were not only looming over the event, but hanging over their heads as well. Every corner of the palace was being transformed, polished, and perfected.
For most of the staff, this was a once-in-a-lifetime event—a night that could either make or break their future in the Blackwood Empire.
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Amara, the maid, stood at her small station in the east wing, carefully adjusting the linens on a nearby table. Her mind was elsewhere, her thoughts still tangled in the surprise gift of one million Blackwood Credits. How do I spend this? What can I buy that would be worthy of such a gesture?
She had never experienced wealth of any kind, let alone the sheer magnitude of what she now possessed. Her family, who lived in a modest home on the outskirts of the city, would never expect such a windfall. Her heart raced at the thought of what this money could mean for them.
But even more pressing was the looming ball. It wasn't just about the wealth—no, it was about how she presented herself. The guests would be watching, judging. Every movement, every glance would be under scrutiny. It was a test.
Am I worthy of this gift? she wondered. What do I bring to the Supreme that would show him I am loyal, that I'm more than just a servant?
The pressure was mounting. The excitement she had once felt now twisted into anxiety. What if I mess up? What if my gift isn't enough?
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Kofi, the engineer, wiped sweat from his brow as he adjusted a series of complex technological devices near the entrance hall. The palace was being outfitted with the finest entertainment systems, surveillance equipment, and lighting. His job was to ensure everything was perfect, that every part of the palace functioned flawlessly for the event.
But even as he worked, his mind kept returning to the one million Blackwood Credits deposited into his account.
What would he do with it?
It wasn't about the money—it was about what it represented. He had been working for Blackwood Industries for nearly two decades. A lifetime of loyalty had led him to this moment. And yet, with all his technical expertise, the idea of choosing the perfect gift for the Supreme haunted him. He had no family members to consult, no loved ones to offer advice. It was all on him now.
Maybe something related to the palace tech, he thought, his mind racing through possibilities. An upgrade, a new piece of equipment that would be useful for the future of the empire?
Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that it wouldn't be enough. That nothing he could create would be truly worthy of the Supreme's attention.
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Jasira, the former officer-turned-guard, stood sentinel at one of the main entrances to the palace. Her uniform was pristine, the intricate details polished to perfection. But beneath the surface of her stoic exterior, a storm raged within her.
She was one of the few guards who had ever been permitted to oversee the internal security of such a high-profile event. It was a huge responsibility, and she was acutely aware of the stakes. The Supreme had demanded nothing short of perfection, and she knew that the slightest lapse in security could result in ruin for not just her, but for the entire staff.
I've dealt with worse, she thought. But this... This is different.
The credits in her account were a small consolation, a token that didn't do justice to the weight of what was at stake. There was no amount of money that could ease the pressure she felt. She needed to protect the Supreme, his family, and every guest. But she also needed to make sure her own loyalty and dedication were apparent through her actions—and perhaps through the gift she would bring.
Her eyes briefly drifted to the entrance of the ballroom, where she could already see preparations underway. The chandeliers, the ornate curtains, the marble floors—all being polished to perfection.
This event will either make us or break us, Jasira thought. We have to ensure everything goes smoothly. For the Supreme. For the family. For ourselves.
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As the hours of the day bled into night, the staff continued to work, their thoughts and fears churning in the back of their minds.
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Efe, the palace guard who had been overwhelmed by his mother's medical bills, now had a heavy weight on his shoulders. The million credits had given him an opportunity to breathe—to provide better for his family. But with it came the burden of expectations. The Supreme had made it clear: this event was more than just a ball. It was a statement.
His mother, who had been bedridden for months, now had access to the best medical care, thanks to his sudden windfall. He had paid for her treatments, bought her comfort, and eased some of the strain on his heart.
But the other matter was just as pressing: the ball. His mind raced as he tried to come up with the perfect gift, the perfect way to present himself. He couldn't afford to mess this up.
What would Chris Blackwood expect from me? He thought about the small trinkets that had been gifted to him in the past by visitors to the palace—luxuries that had always felt shallow. But this wasn't just any gift.
This was his chance.
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The palace had become a hive of activity. Preparations for the grand ball were reaching their final stages, and the staff's anxiety was palpable. For many of them, this event would define their futures.
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Christiana, overseeing the final stages of security and the guest list, took a moment to look out over the grounds from the balcony of the palace. Her thoughts were as clear as the night sky. The ball was approaching, and it wasn't just a celebration—it was a message to the empire. A declaration that the Blackwood name was untouchable, unassailable, and that every person connected to it was part of something monumental.
She checked her communication device and found the list of VIP guests—wealthy, powerful, and influential leaders from all corners of the Union. She couldn't help but wonder about the staff. They had been given a glimpse into the empire's power. The one million credits, the grand ball, the expectations—it was all part of the Supreme's intricate design.
As she watched the staff work, she couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility. This night was not just about extravagance; it was about setting a new standard for loyalty. Chris had made it clear: He would reward those who proved their worth. But those who didn't meet his expectations would fall.
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Two days.
Two days until everything came to a head.
And for the staff, the guests, and the Blackwood family alike, it was a moment of reckoning.
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